Business, Free News Articles

Down Payment Resource debuts on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced it has earned a spot on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. This marks DPR's inaugural year on the list.

Founded in 2008, DPR maintains the only comprehensive database of U.S. homebuyer assistance programs by engaging with more than 1,300 program providers year-round. Its technology, which helps the housing industry match homebuyers with homebuyer assistance, has been used by millions of housing professionals and consumers and averages 30,000 homebuyer assistance queries a day. DPR customers include five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, more than a dozen multiple listing sites (MLSs) and 500,000 real estate agents.

Additionally, two of the nation's largest real estate websites use DPR to power a down payment assistance finder within listing descriptions.

"To date, we've connected more than 6 million housing professionals and homebuyers with down payment assistance program information, and we are proud of the impact we have made," said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we're more inspired than ever to forge ahead, break down barriers to homeownership and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive housing future."

"Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic," said Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. "To make the Inc. 5000 - with the fast growth that requires - is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future."

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With toolsets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Reports and Studies

Down Payment Resource Issues Q2 2023 Homeownership Program Index Report

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, issued its Q2 2023 Homeownership Program Index (HPI). The firm's analysis revealed a second consecutive quarterly uptick of 0.5% in the number of homebuyer assistance programs available to help people finance homes, raising the number of programs to 2,373.

Key Findings

An examination of the 2,373 homebuyer assistance programs that were active as of July 3, 2023, resulted in the following key findings:

* Growth in programs that expand inventory options. In response to the dearth of affordable inventory, agencies continue to introduce programs that expand housing options for low-to-moderate income (LMI) home buyers. Last quarter, 24 more programs introduced support for manufactured housing, an increase of 3.4%. Additionally, three programs that support multi-family purchases were introduced, bringing the number of programs that support two- to four-unit residential properties to 650.

* Growth in the number of agencies administering programs. As affordability continues to challenge LMI home buyers, 45 more agencies have stepped up to administer homebuyer assistance programs, a 3.9% increase over the previous quarter. Now 1,323 agencies provide assistance to aspiring homeowners across the country.

* Municipalities administer the lion's share of homebuyer assistance programs. Municipalities support 42.2% of homebuyer assistance programs, roughly double the 21.8% of programs supported by state housing finance authorities (HFAs) and 21.0% of programs supported by nonprofits - the second and third largest source of homebuyer assistance, respectively.

"Marked growth in the number of agencies administering homebuyer assistance programs reflects how affordability challenges are driving demand for affordable pathways to homeownership," said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "These emerging community champions play a vital role in making home homeownership more accessible to LMI households and marginalized demographics who have lower rates of homeownership."

"At the same time, agencies are responding to near historic low new listing figures by opening program support of manufactured and multifamily housing," continued Chrane. "This effectively expands inventory options for homebuyers that rely on these programs."

A more detailed analysis of the Q2 2023 HPI findings, including infographics and examples of many of the programs described in this release, can be found on DPR's website at: https://downpaymentresource.com/professional-resource/a-guide-to-q2-2023-homebuyer-assistance-program-trends/.

For a complete list of homebuyer assistance programs by state, visit: https://downpaymentresource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HPI-state-by-state-data.Q22023.pdf.

Methodology

Published quarterly, DPR's HPI surveys the funding status, eligibility rules and benefits of U.S. homebuyer assistance programs administered by state and local housing finance agencies, municipalities, nonprofits and other housing organizations. DPR communicates with over 1,300 program providers throughout the year to track and update the country's wide range of homeownership programs, including down payment and closing cost programs, Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs) and affordable first mortgages, in the DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE(r) database.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With toolsets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents.

For more information, visit: https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Real Estate, Reports and Studies

Down Payment Resource Reports on Homebuyer Assistance Programs for People with Disabilities for Disability Pride Month

ATLANTA, Ga. -- In celebration of Disability Pride Month, Down Payment Resource (DPR) has issued a report on the 23 U.S. homebuyer assistance programs that are specifically designed to support people with disabilities and their family caregivers on their journey towards homeownership. While people with disabilities may be eligible for any of the 2,300-plus U.S. homebuyer assistance programs, this report sheds light on programs specially developed to promote accessibility and inclusivity for aspiring homeowners with disabilities.

For many people with disabilities, the dream of homeownership can feel out of reach. Financial limitations due to reduced employment opportunities or the need for additional support services and difficulty finding accessible housing are just a few common challenges.

An analysis of the 23 programs showcases the range of assistance available to promote homeownership for people with disabilities:

* Financial Assistance Range: The programs offer homebuyer assistance ranging from $10,000 to $109,986.

* Availability: The programs are offered in 12 states across the country.

* Family Caregiver Support: 11 programs specifically extend assistance to family caregivers of disabled individuals, recognizing their crucial role in the homeownership process.

* Accessibility Modifications: Funding from four programs can be utilized to support accessibility modifications, ensuring homes are tailored to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.

* Layered Assistance: 14 programs can be combined with other homebuyer assistance programs, providing individuals with additional financial support and resources.

* Program Types: The homeownership assistance programs encompass various types, including four affordable first mortgages, 12 silent second mortgages, three soft seconds, one grant, one voucher program, one combined assistance program and one below market rate (BMR)/resale restriction program.

* Forgivable Programs: Four of the programs offer forgivable assistance, provided that all program conditions, such as owner-occupancy, are met, further alleviating financial burdens for aspiring homeowners.

"Homeownership provides individuals with disabilities and their caregivers with greater independence and empowerment," said Down Payment Resource founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "It allows them to have control over their living environment, make decisions regarding accessibility modifications and customize their homes to meet their unique needs. This autonomy fosters self-confidence, dignity and a greater sense of belonging within the community."

"My hope is that this report will raise awareness about the available programs that provide vital support to those who need it most," continued Chrane. "By promoting accessibility and inclusivity, we can help individuals with disabilities and their family caregivers unlock the door to homeownership and all the benefits it brings."

Select homebuyer assistance programs for people with disabilities are profiled at https://downpaymentresource.com/professional-resource/disability-pride-spotlight-on-homebuyer-assistance-programs-for-people-with-disabilities/.

Individuals can search for their homebuyer assistance program eligibility for free at https://downpaymentresource.com/are-you-eligible/.

Methodology:

DPR produced homebuyer assistance program findings by analyzing its DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database for programs with incentives for people with disabilities. The DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database tracks the funding status, eligibility rules and benefits of all U.S. homebuyer assistance programs using data sourced from more than 1,200 housing finance agencies (HFAs), municipalities, nonprofits and other housing organizations. Homebuyer assistance programs of all types are tracked, including down payment and closing cost assistance, Mortgage Credit Certificates and affordable first mortgages.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With tool sets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Advertising and Marketing, Business, Free News Articles

Depth welcomes Berry College communications major Jasmynn Innis for summer internship

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Depth, the leading provider of consultative B2B marketing, public relations and reputation management services for mortgage fintech innovators, the residential finance industry and technology for emerging regulated markets (regtech), welcomes Berry College communications major Jasmynn Innis as its 2023 summer intern.

A rising senior at Georgia's Berry College pursuing a public relations concentration and a minor in Spanish, Innis in 2023 earned the prestigious Robert L. Frank Endowed Legacy Scholarship awarded by the college's department of communications. Innis is also a student athlete playing on Berry's varsity volleyball team, recently competing as a member of a DIII national volleyball team in Brazil.

Consistently achieving a dean's list designation in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, she has demonstrated her communication skills as a marketing content creator for the college's Center for Personal and Professional Development, a digital and social media content creator for its student newspaper and a graphic design editor for its literary magazine, the Valkyrie. Innis has also served as a seasonal ambassador for Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream.

"We keep our eyes out for exceptional practitioners, including students who are soon to enter the workforce in earnest, which is how we met Jasmynn," explained Depth founder and president Kerri Milam. "Clearly, Jasmynn possesses the traits essential for a member of the DepthSquad, including high performance standards, personal integrity, intellectual rigor and interpersonal skills, as well as a natural proclivity for communication. We feel fortunate to have found and persuaded Jasmynn to join us for the summer."

Depth's business model was conceived to fill a knowledge and service gap for growth-focused technology innovators driving the modernization and digitization of housing finance. Combining unrivaled strategic insights and top-shelf content development with native digital marketing acumen, Depth has a track record of success fueling adoption solutions and services across the mortgage lifecycle, from customer relationship management (CRM), appraisal and loan origination technology to innovations in mortgage servicing, quality control (QC) and capital markets.

About Depth:

Depth is a leading provider of consultative B2B marketing, public relations and reputation management services for the mortgage lending and residential finance industries. Since 2006, the firm has represented a clientele of established and emerging brands serving mortgage lenders, mortgage servicers, real estate professionals and appraisers. Depth is committed to serving the cause of digital innovation and to practicing the pay-it-forward principle alongside The Golden Rule. Depth is a member and supporter of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Housing Finance Strategies and The Mortgage Collaborative.

For more information, visit: https://www.depthpr.com/

RELATED LINKS:

https://www.berry.edu/

Related link: https://www.DepthPR.com/

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles

Capstone Logistics Named Supply Chain Management Partner of the Year by Nissan North America

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Capstone Logistics, a leader in end-to-end supply chain solutions, has been named Partner of the Year by Nissan North America. The company was honored in the Supply Chain Management category at Nissan's recent Annual Supplier Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Capstone earned the honor for its exceptional service throughout Nissan's North American logistics network, particularly its warehouse management services supporting manufacturing operations in Canton, Mississippi.

Chris Bray, Executive Vice President of Capstone Logistics, expressed gratitude for this recognition, stating, "This achievement reflects our focus and unwavering dedication to service and partnership. We sincerely appreciate Nissan North America for acknowledging Capstone with this award."

This accolade highlights Capstone's expanding expertise in the automotive logistics sector, further solidifying the company's position as a trusted partner within Nissan's supply chain ecosystem.

About Capstone Logistics:

Capstone Logistics, headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, is a leading third-party logistics company. It provides warehouse services, freight management, and final-mile distribution solutions throughout the United States. Capstone partners with some of the world's most-recognized brands throughout a variety of industries, including retail, grocery, automotive, food manufacturing, home improvement, healthcare, and more. To learn more about Capstone, visit: https://www.capstonelogistics.com/.

Related link: https://www.capstonelogistics.com/

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles

Melinda Harris of Down Payment Resource named a 2023 Trailblazer by PROGRESS in Lending Association

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that Director of Marketing Melinda Harris was selected to PROGRESS in Lending Association's list of 2023 Sales, Marketing and Public Relations Trailblazers. Now in its fourth year, the Trailblazers award program honors the most impactful sales, marketing and PR visionaries in the mortgage industry.

After joining DPR as a startup in 2008, Harris set her sights on raising consumer and industry awareness about how down payment assistance (DPA) programs can help people attain the dream of homeownership. By developing marketing collateral focused on debunking common myths surrounding homebuyer assistance, Harris is making DPA knowledge more mainstream and local program information easily accessible.

"Harris has been with DPR since day one - a testament to her dedication to inclusive, affordable homeownership for all," said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "She embodies a marketing Trailblazer with her skill for crafting stories that educate and motivate players in our industry to embrace DPA."

Harris' marketing leadership has brought DPR to the forefront of the housing accessibility movement. In 2022 alone, her efforts helped drive an astounding 26,659 webinar registrations with a 43% attendance rate, more than double DPR's monthly website views, increase web conversion rates by 10% and grow Down Payment Connect subscribers by 200%.

"Being recognized as a 2023 Trailblazer by PROGRESS in Lending is an incredible honor," said Harris. "This accolade enhances my commitment to supporting DPR's lender, real estate agent, MLS and consumer listing site partners as they connect families with the financial assistance they need to build generational wealth through homeownership."

To view the complete list of 2023 Sales, Marketing and PR Trailblazers, visit https://mymortgagemindset.com/the-2023-trailblazers-award-winners-are/.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With tool sets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Real Estate

Houston Association of Realtors implements Down Payment Resource to engage homebuyers with affordable pathways to homeownership

ATLANTA, Ga. -- The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) has implemented Down Payment Resource (DPR) to bring Greater Houston area homebuyers' attention to homebuyer assistance programs in the wake of declining housing affordability. Data indicates that homebuyer assistance programs can be especially impactful in the Greater Houston area, where 89% of listings are eligible for assistance and HAR reports that only 40% of households could afford to buy a home in Q4 2022.

HAR is the second largest local real estate trade association in the nation, supporting more than 49,000 Houston real estate professionals. Notably, the organization has exceptionally strong engagement with Houston residents, evidenced by its multiple listing site's (MLS) status as the only local website to rank as a top 20 real estate website in the U.S. According to DPR analysis, 70 homebuyer assistance programs are available across HAR listings, including more than 50 down payment assistance programs, as well as numerous affordable first mortgage programs, mortgage credit certificates (MCCs) and combined assistance programs.

HAR's MLS integration with DPR enables consumers to search for properties that are eligible for homebuyer assistance, and it prominently flags assistance-eligible listings. The integration also makes it easy for Realtors to learn about homebuyer assistance programs and locate assistance-eligible listings that meet their clients' needs. Additionally, HAR members have access to DPR's library of marketing resources, which helps them raise community awareness about homebuyer assistance programs that can make homeownership more affordable.

"HAR has a longstanding track record of investing in its Realtor members and the communities it serves, which is reflected in its local reputation as a trusted source of housing information," said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "Its production of a Housing and Rental Affordability Index is especially commendable because it exposes the financial burden residents face to obtain housing at the county and city levels. HAR's commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of its market has guided its partnership with DPR, which has the potential to connect thousands of Houstonians with the stability and wealth-building benefits of homeownership."

"HAR strives to equip the community and members with resources that help homebuyers enjoy sustainable homeownership in our hometown," said HAR Chair Cathy Treviño. "We are excited to bring affordable homeownership opportunities to light and help more people achieve their dreams of homeownership."

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is a nationwide database of down payment assistance and affordable lending programs. The company tracks funding status, eligibility rules, benefits and more for approximately 2,200 programs in 11 categories. Its award winning technology helps the housing industry connect more homebuyers to the down payment help they need. DPR has been recognized by Inman News as "Most Innovative New Technology" and the HousingWire Tech100(tm). DPR is licensed to Multiple Listing Services, Realtor Associations, lenders and housing counselors across the country. DPR's subscription based service, Down Payment Connect, helps agents and loan officers match buyers to available programs. For more information, please visit https://downpaymentresource.com/ and on Twitter at @DwnPmtResource.

About Houston Association of Realtors®:

Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) is a 50,000-member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of Realtors® in the United States.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

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Business, Free News Articles

Down Payment Resource adds four team members to help the housing industry meet strong consumer demand for homebuyer assistance programs

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced that it has brought on four new team members to grow its sales footprint, expand its relationships with housing finance agencies (HFAs) and provide enhanced support to DPR's growing customer base.

"Intense consumer demand for homebuyer assistance has driven explosive usership across our tools for lenders, agents and listing sites - prompting us to grow our team with the addition of four incredibly knowledgeable and passionate housing finance professionals," said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "I look forward to working with the expanded DPR family to champion innovative tools, strategies and programs that make homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone."

The newly appointed team members are:

* Tani Lawrence, Enterprise Sales Executive

As Enterprise Sales Executive, Lawrence is responsible for driving business growth by showing housing professionals how DPR's solutions can help them better serve homebuyers and conduct operations more efficiently. Previously, Lawrence served as senior business development executive at a document fulfillment fintech, where she signed the company's largest lender client, and in a business development role at Optimal Blue, where she specialized in its Comergence risk management toolset.

* Angel Romero, HFA relationship manager

As HFA Relationship Manager, Romero wields more than a decade of mortgage industry experience to build and maintain DPR's relationships with hundreds of HFAs nationwide. Before joining DPR in March 2023, Angel served as AVP, post-closing manager and resident housing program expert at Cherry Creek Mortgage, where she helped drive the company's expansion into underserved markets and streamline down payment assistance (DPA) operations.

* Keith Futrell and Kathy Gault, DPA Program Specialists

As DPA program specialists, Futrell and Gault will use their extensive knowledge of compliance guidelines, DPA programs and affordable lending processes to provide DPR partners custom DPA insights and strategies.

Futrell has nearly two decades of housing finance industry experience as a mortgage account manager, processor and underwriter, and he has specialized knowledge underwriting DPA programs. In his previous role as an underwriter for Allen Tate Companies, Futrell reviewed and issued two or more loans per day on average and was named MVP of Underwriting in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to joining DPR, Gault was senior strategic products and affordable housing programs coordinator at Mountain West Financial, Inc. In this role, Gault curated the lender's DPA program roster, trained loan originators on new DPA programs and managed DPA programs.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With toolsets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents.

For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Reports and Studies

Down Payment Resource Issues Q1 2023 Homeownership Program Index Report

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homebuyer assistance programs, issued its Q1 2023 Homeownership Program Index (HPI). The firm's analysis revealed a 0.5% uptick in the number of homebuyer assistance programs available to help people finance homes, raising the number of programs to 2,362.

Methodology

Published quarterly, DPR's HPI surveys the funding status, eligibility rules and benefits of U.S. homebuyer assistance programs administered by state and local housing finance agencies, municipalities, nonprofits and other housing organizations. DPR communicates with over 1,200 program providers throughout the year to track and update the country's wide range of homeownership programs, including down payment and closing cost programs, Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs) and affordable first mortgages, in the DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE(r) database.

Key Findings

The Q1 2023 HPI examined a total of 2,362 homebuyer assistance programs that were active as of April 7, 2023. Key findings are as follows:

* The majority of down payment assistance (DPA) programs are forgivable. 57.8% of DPA programs - which take the form of grants, community second mortgages or a combination of the two - are forgivable, meaning that they never have to be repaid as long as program conditions are met. Of all types of homebuyer assistance, 43.4% percent of programs are forgivable. The share of both categories of forgivable programs increased fractionally over last quarter.

* Incentivized programs are on the rise. There was a 3% increase in incentivized programs - which are geared toward public servants such as teachers and protectors, Native Americans, people with disabilities and veterans, among others - over the previous quarter. Programs with incentives now make up 17.5% of all available programs.

* Support for multifamily properties increased. Programs that support multifamily homeownership saw a 2.2% increase over the previous quarter. These programs now make up 29.8% of all homebuyer assistance offerings.

* There was an uptick in programs without a first-time homebuyer requirement. DPA programs without a first-time homebuyer requirement grew by 2% in Q1 2023. 39.7% of all assistance offerings do not feature a first-time homebuyer requirement.

"The increase in down payment assistance for several consecutive quarters represents growing opportunities for homebuyers that have been traditionally underserved," said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. "DPR will continue to raise awareness about the myriad assistance programs available and enhance our solutions that enable housing professionals to help more people achieve their homeownership goals."

A more detailed analysis of the Q1 2023 HPI findings, including infographics and examples of many of the programs described in this release, can be found on DPR's website at https://downpaymentresource.com/professional-resource/q1-2023-homebuyer-assistance-program-trends/.

For a complete list of homebuyer assistance programs by state, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HPI-state-by-state-data.Q12023.pdf.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With toolsets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR's technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Twitter: @DwnPmtResource #downpaymentassistance #HPIreport #affordabilitycrisis #housingaffordability #mortgage #housingequity

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

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Business, Education and Schools, Environment and Ecology, Free News Articles

HBCU Green Fund Atlanta University Fellows Spend Spring Break Planting Trees in a Rural African Village to Fight Climate Change

ATLANTA, Ga. -- A group of HBCU Green Fund Fellows from Atlanta University Center recently dedicated their spring break embedded in an African village on the border of Senegal and Mauritania building a tree shelter, planting trees and digging a well in their ongoing efforts to help the vulnerable communities that are most impacted by the effects of climate change, but contribute the least. The climate advocates spent a full week without Internet, TV and phone service to help mitigate the devastating effects of global warming.

The inaugural HBCU Green Fund Eco Spring Break Service-Learning program at REDES Ecovillages connects students, faculty and alumni from Black colleges including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse and Spelman Colleges in Atlanta, GA, with students and faculty from Cheik Ante Diop University in Dakar Senegal. With over 100 villages in Senegal and Mauritania, REDES Ecovillages helps traditional communities become ecovillages by blending deep-rooted culture with modern ecological and community-building methods. The program gives students an opportunity to help with the climate crisis, and also learn innovative solutions the Africans have implemented.

"I'm so proud of these young leaders who put down their social media to live for a week with families in a rural village where electricity, water and food were extremely limited. It was a game changer for young professionals who consider themselves to be climate justice advocates," said Felicia Davis, founder of HBCU Green Fund. "The experience provided the volunteers with a deeper understanding of climate change, food waste, plastic pollution, and the devastating impact of wasteful western habits on distant communities along with an opportunity to make a real and tangible difference."

Davis adds, "We gain as much or more than we give, it is powerful to function as a part of nature, as a steward seeking ecological restoration and balance. With a small donation the HBCU Green Fund financed construction of a shelter for tree saplings and a well that women farmers requested so they don't have to walk all the way to the river and back for water."

The Eco Spring Break Service-Learning program is one of several initiatives the HBCU Green Fund sponsors as they cultivate relationships with local communities in the U.S., Africa and throughout the African Diaspora to promote conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture and development. The group currently has ongoing projects in 14 countries in Africa, including Ghana and Tanzania, two of the countries Vice President Harris recently visited and declared climate change an "existential threat to the entire planet."

"It was a life-changing experience," adds Serena Echols, an HBCU Green Fund Fellow and senior environmental science major at Spelman College. "We lived with host families sleeping on the floor just as they do. Our days consisted of working on various projects to help transform the villages of the Sahel. We also learned to milk a cow or a goat and planted more than 100 trees."

"When we returned to the U.S. and heard Vice President Harris' call to action it reinforced our commitment to fighting for climate justice and made us feel like we were playing a personal role in the mission to address the climate crisis in Africa," adds Echols.

About the HBCU Green Fund:

Based in Washington, DC and Atlanta, the HBCU Green Fund (hbcugreenfund.org) is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization working with historically black colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad to advance sustainability, promote student engagement in green initiatives, and train the next generation of global green leaders. The organization's Atlanta University Center Clean Energy Fellows Program introduces students to career opportunities in the clean energy sector and connects students with Black entrepreneurs that provide training in renewable energy technologies. The HBCU Green Fund partnered the Harambee House/Citizens for Environmental Justice (HH/CFEJ) to lead a delegation of 27 persons from the United States and Africa to participate in COP27 in Egypt last November and are planning to take a delegation to to COP28 in Dubai in November of this year.

Learn more: http://hbcugreenfund.org/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Edrea Davis 818.613.9521 edmedia@dogonvillage.com

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isn9-OFqcpI

Related link: https://hbcugreenfund.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022